54 degrees this morning (97% humility) Walk 36:22 minutes
Listening to the book on the Civil War, I am always a little surprised at the progress that Lincoln made during his administration considering the fact that he was also fighting the Civil War.
The book mentions that maybe the reason so many advancements were made is that the South was of course not involved in the debate, so a lot of progress was made without opposition.
Right or wrong, it is almost like the recent past when not much gets done because both groups refuse to work together, including accepting compromises etc.
The transcontinental railroad was authorized in 1862, although it wasn’t completed finished until after the war.
Perhaps even more important, the “Homestead Act” was passed (160 acres free if you lived their for five years).
Also important was the provision for State Colleges (land grant colleges) focusing on agricultural and technical/mechanical instruction instead of purely academic subjects.
The impact of these projects even today is amazing.
That is one of the things I admire about Lincoln, even in his early years, was his capacity to think ahead and realize the importance of internal improvements like roads, railroads etc.
While of course, it can be considered “waste’, i think investment in capital improvements is vital and the short-tightnesses of especially state legislatures is appalling. Perhaps even worse if the failure to invest in human development.
Something else I have learned from listening to the Civil War “Great Course” is that we are so prone to instill present day attitudes into the past.
The instructor emphasizes the importance of looking at contemporary writing at the time rather than later “interpretations” of what happened that may be influenced by current day values or experiences.
I always think of it as I now “know” how it turned out. No matter how many books I read about Lincoln, there is only one ending. Ditto with the Civil War etc.
If I had been living during the Civil War, I would not have know how it was going to turn out, and that would have influenced what I wrote!
Another dream. Again, have no idea what it means, if anything. Just noting it for the record.
3-9-16: Tuesday
Another strong dream..
Dreamed I was in a small house/office in a city (I believe my current city)
For some reason I was just hanging out there. It was like a house or a house turned into an office.
I didn’t get anything, just stood in a room with a small “rail type” table and w watched. They had coffee, but didn’t really sell anything.
A reporter I knew in Memphis came in,but I didn’t recognize him (until he spoke) and I don’t think he remembered me.
I was planning my day (in my current job), except I forgot part of my stops until right before I left.
I was thinking I was going to have to run home to get the information when I woke up.
Again, a dream that seemed like it was real.
That’s it for now, Thursday, March 10, 2016.
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